WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi did not mean armed struggle when he called for a jihad against Switzerland but rather an economic boycott, Libya's ambassador to the United States has said.

Ali Aujali told Reuters that his country is serious about its relations with the United States but would not permit its leader to be insulted, a reference to dismissive comments made by U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley last week.

Aujali said Crowley's comments on February 3 fell short of the apology that Libya still expects. Crowley said his earlier remarks were not meant as a personal attack.

Crowley said today that he welcomed the clarification of Qaddafi's jihad comment and urged Libya and Switzerland to work out their differences in direct dialogue.

Asked about Libya's demand for an apology, he declined further comment.